I went into this film blind, and I’m very glad that I did.
Juliette Gariépy is astoundingly good. The whole film is perfectly controlled, always withholding enough while continually peeling back layers of the protagonist’s psyche. Feels like you shouldn’t be watching, extending voyeurism to the viewer.
Uniquely satisfying adaptation. The film succeeds where the novel somewhat fails in presenting a coherent image of Arrakis. In place of the novel’s rushed plot-serving descriptions, the film makes the most of the medium, contrasting a lush Caladan with the Atreides’ new crushingly dry home. Most scenes cut from the novel were well chosen, but I did miss the dinner party scene early on. Very excited to see Part 2.
